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Tennis – Australian Open – Women’s Individual Photo Session – Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia, February 21, 2021 Australian Open Champion Naomi Osaka of Japan poses with the trophy during a photoshoot at the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria REUTERS / Loren Elliott
MELBOURNE – Having stamped her authority on hard courts by winning the Australian and US Open multiple times, Japan’s Naomi Osaka feels she is now better equipped to succeed on other surfaces.
The 23-year-old edged American Jennifer Brady 6-4 6-3 in Saturday’s Australian Open final at Rod Laver Arena to join Roger Federer and Monica Seles as players to win her first four Grand Slam finals. .
Osaka won back-to-back majors at the US Open 2018 and the Australian Open in 2019 and took his third at Flushing Meadows last year, but has never made it past the third round at Roland Garros or Wimbledon.
When asked if he is now more confident of success on clay and grass, Osaka said: “Yes, I think so.
“I understand better what I am supposed to do.
“Before I was heading into a game without realizing I was guessing different patterns and things like that. But now I talk to (coach) Wim (Fissette) a little more about strategy. “
Taking his hard court success to the French Open and Wimbledon was Osaka’s “biggest goal” going forward.
“I think everyone knows that I can do well on hard court,” he said after posing for photos with the Daphne Akhurst Commemorative Cup at Government House in Melbourne.
“For me, I just want to feel comfortable on the other surfaces.”
Justine Henin, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, recently said that women’s tennis has a “new boss” in Osaka.
“I feel like it’s an honor to be in that conversation,” Osaka said.
“I also feel like, for me, my biggest goal is to be consistent throughout the year, not just show up at random and win a Grand Slam.
“Hopefully I can be more stable this year and feel more worthy of having that title.”
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